🚨 Funding alert:
Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) 2026 (ED-GRANT-26-053), U.S. Department of Education (Office of Postsecondary Education, in partnership with HHS)
The CCAMPIS program provides competitive grants to colleges and universities to support campus-based child care services for low-income student parents. The goal is to remove a major barrier to postsecondary completion by helping student parents stay enrolled and succeed.
With over $73.5M in total funding and an estimated 148 awards, this program is a significant federal investment in improving college access and persistence for parenting students—especially those receiving Pell Grants.
🔧 What it supports:
Establishing or expanding campus-based child care programs, including direct child care services and related supports (such as before- and after-class care) that enable low-income student parents to enroll in and complete postsecondary education.
🎯 Key focus areas include:
- Expanding access to affordable, high-quality campus child care
- Supporting low-income student parents (especially Pell Grant recipients)
- Leveraging institutional and non-federal resources
- Implementing sliding fee scales to reduce cost burden
- Expanding early learning options and parental choice in care settings
💡 Why it matters:
Child care is one of the most significant barriers to college completion for student parents—a population deeply connected to workforce participation and economic mobility. This program directly links education attainment with workforce outcomes by helping parents persist in credential pathways, ultimately strengthening talent pipelines and reducing equity gaps in higher education and employment.
📌 How to apply:
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by May 29, 2026 (11:59 PM ET). Institutions must meet eligibility requirements, including having awarded at least $250,000 in Pell Grants in FY 2025. Applicants should review the full notice and application package on Grants.gov for detailed requirements, priorities, and submission instructions.
👥 Who should consider this:
- Public and private colleges and universities
- Minority-serving institutions and community colleges
- Institutions with significant Pell student populations
- Higher education leaders focused on retention, completion, and student supports
- Campus and community partnerships advancing early childhood and student parent success
If you’re exploring how to better support student parents and improve completion outcomes, this is a high-impact opportunity. The New Growth Team can help assess fit, shape a strong strategy, and develop a competitive proposal—reach out to start the conversation.
Link to opportunity: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361967Â